Giovannino grows up and seeks his way, exemplary in his total and definitive absence of character. He lets himself be guided a little by everyone, without ever making a decision of his own free will. He first seduces the family servant, then runs away to Rome and tries to marry her unserious daughter to a boarding house owner. But her father arrives from Catania who distrusts her and arranges for him to marry a rich and lame girl.

Basé sur un roman d'Ercole Patti, le film illustre la vie oisive et peu concluante du jeune descendant d'une famille bourgeoise sicilienne. Même lorsque son père l'oblige à épouser une riche fille laide et mutilée, Giovannino ne trouve pas le courage de se rebeller.